cosmic

adjective

cos·​mic ˈkäz-mik 

variants or less commonly cosmical

ˈkäz-mi-kəl 

1

a

: of or relating to the cosmos, the extraterrestrial vastness, or the universe in contrast to the earth alone

cosmic radiation

b

: of, relating to, or concerned with abstract spiritual or metaphysical (see metaphysical sense 2) ideas

cosmic wisdom

2

: characterized by greatness especially in extent, intensity, or comprehensiveness

a cosmic thinker

a book of cosmic significance

cosmically

ˈkäz-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of cosmic

• giant
• gigantic
• huge
• vast
• tremendous
• enormous
• massive
• colossal
• astronomical
• mammoth
• monumental
• bumper
• immense
• titanic
• galactic
• monster
• planetary
• monstrous
• mountainous
• grand
• oceanic

Examples of cosmic in a Sentence

The discovery caused a cosmic shift in people's views of the world.

predicted that the war would forever be regarded as a cosmic error

Recent Examples on the Web

Figures go down into the cosmic foam, only to turn up later in different forms. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026

Such dying stars act as cosmic recycling centers, returning material to space that can eventually become incorporated into future generations of stars and planets. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026

When a larger galaxy pulls apart a smaller dwarf galaxy, the dwarf’s stars can stretch into a stream — a cosmic breadcrumb trail of that encounter. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

The answer to why there’s something rather than nothing remains elusive, but scientists now know gluons likely play a key role in this greatest of cosmic mysteries. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek kosmikos, from kosmos order, universe

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cosmic

• cosmic background radiation
• cosmic dust
• cosmic microwave background
• cosmic noise
• cosmic ray
• cosmic string

Rhymes for cosmic

• osmic
• microcosmic

Kids Definition

cosmic

adjective

cos·​mic ˈkäz-mik 

1

: of or relating to the cosmos

cosmic theories

2

: extremely vast : grand

cosmic dimensions